Saudi Arabia asserted its influence on an evolving market, sending crude oil prices lower Tuesday after saying it was ready to meet growing Chinese demand. “We are ready to meet all needs, and with the increasing number of people in Asia and the growth of the middle class, the demand for energy will increase,” Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said at an energy meeting in China . “The demand will be met through a growing set of supplies.” Oil prices started falling below the $100 per barrel mark in mid 2014 as U.S. oil production gains tipped the global market toward the supply side. Prices faltered further in November when Saudi Arabia said it would maintain a steady […]